SUSTAINABILITY & SERVICE

Metal Recycling

RECYCLING WITH IMPACT

Drop off your scrap metal at our West Seattle location and get paid on the spot.

We do more with your recyclables — every load supports our nonprofit and creates work-skills training opportunities for people in recovery.

Location: 3881 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106 Directions
Hours: Mon–Sat 10:00 am–5:30 pm

We buy back these metals

Our facility accepts the ABCs of recycling — aluminum, brass, and copper — and more. Bring us your scrap metal for immediate cash or check payment, always at competitive prices. Metal prices are updated daily.

Aluminum scrap

PRICE PER POUND

Under 25 lbs. – 30¢
Over 25 lbs. – 33¢
Over 100 lbs. – 36-40¢
Irony/dirty scrap aluminum – 10-15¢
Extrusion, solids / clips, rims / wheels, litho sheet – 60-85¢
Irony extrusion – 50-60¢

REQUIREMENTS 
Scrap aluminum includes siding, door and window frames, auto and machine parts, lawn furniture, pots and pans. Remove all contaminants such as nails, screws, rivets, bolts, wood, plastic, caulk and rubber to get full price. We no longer accept transmissions or heavy irony aluminum engines effective Nov. 1, 2006

Aluminum cans

PRICE PER POUND

Under 25 lbs. – 30¢
Over 25 lbs. – 33¢
Over 100 lbs. – 36¢
Over 200 lbs., or crushed over 100 lbs. – 40¢

REQUIREMENTS 
All cans must be clean of scrap garbage, plastic, glass, cigarettes, paper and tin cans. Please empty all liquid. We will deduct for moisture. We no longer can accept pet food cans and alum. foil and pie plates/trays mixed in with the cans. These must be separated and we will accept for no pay.

Brass

PRICE PER POUND

Irony Brass 50¢-$1.50
Brass (yellow) $2.20-$2.50
Brass (red, copper/brass mixed) $2.90-$3.20
Medium Grade Wire $1.80-$2.00
Romex Only $2.40-$2.60
Hi Grade Wire $3.00-$3.30

REQUIREMENTS 
Price will vary according to the “grade” or type of each particular. Remove all contaminants to get best price. Bonus prices always given for large quantities. Please ask for a personal price quote.

Copper

PRICE PER POUND

Copper #1 Bright & Shiny – $4.80-$5.00
Copper #1 Clean Pipe, Burnt Wire – $4.50-$4.70
Copper #2 – $4.20-$4.40
Insulated Copper Wire: Hi Grade – $2.70-$3.00
Insulated Copper Wire: Med Grade/Romex – $1.70-$2.30
Insulated Copper Wire: Low Grade – $1.00-$1.20

REQUIREMENTS 
Price will vary according to the “grade” or type of each particular. Remove all contaminants to get best price. Bonus prices always given for large quantities. Please ask for a personal price quote.

Ferrous metals

PRICE PER POUND

Less than 300 lbs. – accept only
Over 300 lbs. – 4¢ ($80/ton)
#1 prepared aka HMS – 5¢ ($100/ton)

REQUIREMENTS 
We reserve the right to reject material. no cars, transmissions, engines, very long, bulky or heavy items, no enclosed containers such as fuel cylinders or gas tanks, compressors, spray paint cans, oil drums, lawn mowers or anything with oil or other fluids. No glass, plastic bottles, styrofoam, tires or wood. No refrigerators, freezers, or any other hazardous material.

Non-ferrous metals

PRICE PER POUND

Radiators (clean) – $1.70-$2.30
Radiators (w/ steel) – $1.60-$1.80
Stainless Steel (clean) – 17-23¢
Lead, Zinc – 25-35¢
Irony Non-Ferrous – 10¢-$1.00
Car Batteries – $4 each, or $5 for 5+, 10-13¢ per pound for large quantities
Motors – 12-15¢

REQUIREMENTS 
Price will vary according to the “grade” or type of each particular. Remove all contaminants to get best price. Bonus prices always given for large quantities. Please ask for a personal price quote.

Drop off these materials for free

These items aren’t eligible for payout, but every load helps support sustainability and recovery in our community.

Aluminum foil and trays

Flattened cardboard

Junk mail

Steel and iron <300 lbs

Tin cans

Dishwashers

Water heaters

Microwaves

Cell phones

Laptops

Power supply units

Circuit boards

We do not accept

Glass and plastic bottles
Plastic food containers, cups, or utensils
Trays, plastic bags, or buckets
Styrofoam
Trash/garbage or yard waste
Wood or pallets
Window glass
TVs, computers, or monitors
Refrigerators, freezers
Catalytic converters
Household batteries
Vehicles, tires, or motor oil

METAL RECYCLING

How it works

01 Bring your recyclables

Before you arrive, make sure your recyclables are relatively clean and sorted by material type.

Aluminum cans will be placed in grey barrels
Newspaper should be bundled or sacked
All other material boxed

Location and hours

02 Weigh materials by category

Pull into our drive-thru area and our friendly staff will help you weigh your materials.

Pour cans into barrels
Move barrels toward scale
We’ll weigh and total your cans

03 We pay cash or check

We pay in cash or by check immediately after weighing.   

Note: Washington state law requires that for non-ferrous metal purchases, we have a cash limit of $30. For transactions over $30, you will receive a check. You must have a valid WA driver’s license. All transactions are recorded on video and computer data entry.

Prices are updated regularly!

04 The cycle of renewal continues

Recycling at Key Works supports hands-on work-skills training for people in recovery, building confidence and pathways to living-wage jobs.

Read the Key Works story

SUSTAINABILITY IN ACTION

Our zero-to-landfill mission

Every material finds its best use.

If there’s a way to repurpose it, we’ll find it — we never give up on giving second chances.

Drop-off & buy-back

Frequently Asked Questions

What are your business hours?

Monday-Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:30 pm

What is your holiday schedule?

Do cans need to be crushed or flattened?

Do you accept insulated copper?

Will your team be able to help separate & determine the value of our metals?

Do you accept electronics?

What type of appliances can be dropped off at your recycling center?

Do I need an ID?

Do I need a vehicle?

Do you accept waste from construction companies, plumbers, and HVAC installers?

Do you offer materials pick-up?

Do I need to flatten cardboard?

Where can I recycle glass jars and bottles?